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2014-01-08 Science & Technology

SpaceX Launches Second Commercial Satellite

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Posted by Fred 2014-01-08 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11124 views ] Top

#1 images of first stage powered return to earth on Cassiope launch

Concept Video:

Discussion of SpaceX and its concepts

Topics of interest for first stage return (expected to be testing on next ISS launch):
F9v1.1 Stage 1 (and FH booster) recovery trajectory, burns, drag evaluation.

SpaceX Reusable Falcon 9 (Grasshopper) UPDATE Thread (1..3)

Grasshopper test article flight and landing:

It is hoped that first stage reuse alone can pull launch costs below $10,000,000. Full F9R reuse is projected by SpaceX to be profitable at $2,900,000 per launch.

Posted by 3dc 2014-01-08 06:46|| 2014-01-08 06:46|| Front Page Top

#2 The next generation Methane burning Raptor engines will start testing this year. Methane has much less coking problems (making an engine dirty and requiring more rebuilds before reuse) than the current kerosene oxygen engines and Musk has plans for a methane generation plant on Mars to refuel his the MCT (Mars Colony Transport) in his corporate long term plan.
The Falcon Heavy looks to be an interim product between the Falcon R and Raptor based super heavy rockets. From one of the discussions:

So per information made available on 10/23, we now think that a) Raptor is a Methane-burning 300-ton-force engine b) Raptor will be tested at Stennis in "Early 2014"

Largest projected rocket with Raptor engines:

Posted by 3dc 2014-01-08 07:28|| 2014-01-08 07:28|| Front Page Top

#3 Note the Specifications of the Falcon Heavy. First launch of this craft is expected this year.
SpaceX Falcon Heavy sales specs

Note LEO payload comparison: more than 2X that of the Shuttle. Only bigger rocket was the Saturn 5 moon rocket.

Posted by 3dc 2014-01-08 07:53|| 2014-01-08 07:53|| Front Page Top

#4 Kerbal Space Program

Posted by Bright Pebbles 2014-01-08 08:05|| 2014-01-08 08:05|| Front Page Top

#5 For comparison the largest SLS super rocket NASA is considering for the 2030 timeframe and currently wasting billions and billions of dollars developing will only lift 150Mt. The Falcon XX with commercial development money is projected to lift 286.39Mt not to Low Earth Orbit but Mars.
(Mt = Metric Tons)

Posted by 3dc 2014-01-08 10:45|| 2014-01-08 10:45|| Front Page Top

#6 The Raptor engines have shapes it is not possible to weld or machine. These parts are made by 3D printing with Inconel alloy.

Posted by 3dc 2014-01-08 10:57|| 2014-01-08 10:57|| Front Page Top

#7 This Link: Elon Musk tweet showing a Super Draco Inconel rocket chamber with regen cooling jacket emerging from an EOS 3D metal printer (for the capsules engines)

Posted by 3dc 2014-01-08 11:04|| 2014-01-08 11:04|| Front Page Top

#8 Walter.... I sense an interest in this. :)

Posted by Shipman 2014-01-08 15:51|| 2014-01-08 15:51|| Front Page Top

#9 Shipman - if he gets his reuse working... even the Chinese can't get close to him in launch costs. Full re-use would put him 15-20 times cheaper than China or Russia.

Posted by 3dc 2014-01-08 17:39|| 2014-01-08 17:39|| Front Page Top

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